Snake Handler Found Dead Next To His Python Was Strangled, Police Confirm

An experienced snake handler found dead in his bedroom was strangled to death, police have confirmed.

Dan Brandon’s body was discovered next to his python which was not in its tank at his home in Church Crookham, Hampshire.

The snake had appeared to have escaped from its pen and a coroner’s court heard yesterday that Dan, 31, had died of asphyxia.

Hampshire police said they were not treating the death as suspicious and are preparing a file for the coroner.

One of his friends said they did not think the snake had anything to do with his death, according to The Sun.

A coroner heard that he died as a result of asphyxia (Picture: Facebook)

Two fundraisers have been started on JustGiving in his honour with money going to the WWF and the RSPB because of his love of wildlife.

John Cottrell who set up the fundraisers said: ‘He was obsessed with snakes, spiders, birds and all wildlife, in his memory we have set up two fundraising pages, one for WWF and one for RSPB.

‘We have struggled when looking for photos for his funeral to find any when he isn’t holding a spider, snake, small bird, toad, slow worm, hedgehog, feeding a fox, stroking cattle, befriending a cat or dog so these charities seemed the perfect choice.

‘In memory of you Dan…. who we will all miss SO much.’

A spokesman for Surrey and Hampshire Reptile Rescue said: ‘There’s never been a case of a python killing someone in Britain before. They only kill what they eat.’

A spokesman for Hampshire Police said: ‘We were called to an address in Church Crookham. A 31-year-old man had suffered serious injuries and died at the scene.

‘The death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage. A file will be prepared for the coroner.’